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Regional Revues of Epic Proportions!

This weekend is one of those weekends. The kind that is so packed with amazing events and live music that it’s almost impossible to figure out which one to go to. Too many amazing choices is a good problem to have, but can still be tricky when planning what to do over the weekend.

As I enter my second year of writing the Dayton Music Insider Blog, I’d like to remind readers of the best way to use this blog. If you are unfamiliar with the bands, remember to click the *name of band or artist to learn more about them, or even hear a sample of their music. Click the venue name for info on the location, tickets, or to access the Facebook event page.

Also, if you’re in a band, remember to let me know about your show. The best way is to invite me to your event on Facebook. I get a lot of private FB messages, which can be tricky to manage. For other tips on how to get super fans like me to your show, come to the Music Power Conference on May 9th in Centerville. I’m volunteering my time, along with a host of other music experts, to help strengthen the music scene in Dayton, and to help you expand your audience!

That said, let’s get down to business and plot out our fun for the weekend, shall we?

Friday, April 15th

If you’re like me and ready to bail the office and get the weekend started ASAP, then head over to the Oregon District for Live! at Nucleus Co-Share. This is a special event that combines visual art, spoken word poetry, and of course, live music. Stop by between 6-9 p.m. for an uplifting atmosphere and lots of smiles!

One of the Dayton music scene’s biggest fans, Sean McKinney, has been under going extremely expensive and painful surgeries lately due to Crohn’s disease. It’s a truly terrible affliction, and musicians around the area are coming to the rescue!

As a result, No Guts, No Glory benefit show has been organized at Jimmie’s Ladder 11. There will be upbeat, jammin’ music from Arrows of Neon, Emily and the Lost Cat Ramblers, Sharon Lane and Danny Sauers and Heartenstone, along with live painters and fun vibes. There will also be raffles going on with plenty of exciting prizes to win. Show 9 p.m. Suggested donation is $3 — although personally I think you all can make it at least an even $5!

The folks at Music Connection Dayton, LLC have created “The Dayton Underground Series” to showcase some of the best of Dayton area music. The second show in the series celebrates Dayton-area Roots music, featuring TRUK, Jericho Thyme and Jamie Suttle, who received 1st Place and Best Roots in the Best of Dayton Underground 2015 awards. Advance Tickets are $8 from all performing acts & will get you an EXCLUSIVE 6-track download with music from all 3 bands. Day of Show Tickets are $10. 18+ w/ ID. Doors at 9 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m.

Country rapper Big Smo is in town and rockin’ out Oddbody’s Music Room once again. The night starts off with Controversy for Breakfast, and then the big guy himself takes the stage. Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 advance, $25 day of show. Ages 18+ are welcome.

Musicgoers who like a little more funk on their Friday night can check out Freakquency, who are performing at Trolley Stop this evening. Show is 10 p.m.-1 a.m. $5 cover

In Eaton, check out Chicagoian Troy Petty, performing from 8-11 p.m. at Taffy’s Music Mecca. For a singer/songwriter, he’s got a surprisingly powerful sound and stirring voice.

Saturday, April 16th (aka Record Store Day!)

All record stores are of course celebrating Record Store Day. Downtown, Omega Music celebrates Record Store Day with undoubtedly one of the largest selection of titles in the Miami Valley area. They are stocked and ready to roll with your favorite vinyl! A full list of releases is available at: http://www.recordstoreday.com/NewsItem/5984

The day starts off at 8 a.m. with free coffee and donuts from Press. There will be other free giveaways all day, while supplies last! Bring a canned good to benefit the Foodbank, and you’ll receive 15% off all used media. And in the afternoon, Zombie Dogz will be on hand to serve food! Wow, what an awesome day – and we haven’t even gotten to the live music yet!

For me personally, the highlight of this weekend’s showcases is Subterranean’s Regional Revue at Oddbody’s Music Room. This show is absolutely packed with amazing talent including SubT (of course), The Almighty Get Down, Peridoni, Electric Orange Peel, That Freak Quincy, and The Willy Clark Band. This show is funky!

What I’m *most* excited about is the artist at large, Ron Holloway, who will be sitting in during the various sets. He was an absolute beast while I was on Jam Cruise, and is no doubt the saxophone player heavyweight champ! $10 advance tickets, $15 at the door. Remember, you can stop by Friday night during the Big Smo show to get advance tickets. Ages 18+.

Another amazing music festival is also happening on Saturday, the Malwai Music Fest at Yellow Cab Tavern. The 2nd annual Malawi Music Fest raises funds for Determined to Develop. Organizers have packed some really great rock bands, as well as making sure you are fed by area food trucks. (Man, I missed them over the winter!)

This year tickets will be $10 presale, $12 at the door. Pre-Sale Tickets will be available at the food truck rally on the evening of Friday April 15th at Yellow Cab.

Schedule for Malwai Music Fest:
5:00- the Mercury Curtain
6:00- Zygotes
7:00- the Gad Gods
8:00- The French
9:00- Manray
10:00- Good English

Switching gears from the festival vibe… The Magic of Motown is being recreated this Saturday evening with the Motortown All-Stars and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Performers from the Capitols, the Miracles and the Temptations are ready to take you on a blast to the past! Ticket prices range from $29-$81 and student and military discounts are available. Show time is 8pm.

If you are in a jazz/funk mood, check out Palladium and The Universal Love Xperience at Gilly’s Jazz Club downtown. Admission is $10 per person, or $15 per couple. Show 8:30pm – 12am.

Outside of the Dayton area, there is another record store day after party, from Toxic Beauty Records Label in Yellow Springs. They are hosting two of my favorite local bands The New Old-Fashioned and Stark Folk Band. They perform a mix of Americana, indie and rock, which is really great for a variety of audiences. Best part? No cover! Music starts at 10 p.m.

West of town, check out Firecreek, a young bluegrass and traditional country band from south central Ohio. They will be performing with George Erastus Moore, a heartland singer/songwriter also from Ohio. Definitely has a fun country vibe. Catch this down home show at Taffy’s in Eaton from 8-11:30 p.m.

Special shout out! I’d like to say thank you and a very fond farewell to Vivienne Machi, who was the co-writer of the monthly Dayton.com feature “Guided by Noises” which covers the albums and recorded music released by musicians and bands in the Dayton area. It was her brain-child, and she graciously invited me to collaborate. We had so much fun writing it! Vivienne has moved on to new adventures outside the Dayton area, but the GBN article will continue! Thanks for the inspiration Vivi! Dayton will miss you.

As always, thank you for supporting live music!

Your Dayton Music Insider,

Libby Ballengee

Note to Readers: The information above is for April 15th and 16th. If I don’t list a price, it’s because I’m not sure what the price is. Generally cover charges for local shows are $5. Please click the hyperlinks to find out more about the bands, venues and events, including start times, directions, and ticket availability. As you can see, I try to promote as many shows as possible, but there will be some I miss. Keep me in the loop: @LibbyBallengee. Check out the latest shows I’m promoting @theVenusChild. You can also keep up with my adventures on Instagram here.

*NOTE: Sometimes there is not a hyperlink to a name either because I cannot conclusively find a web or Facebook page to direct you to. (Bands, come up with unique names!) OR sometimes when there are festival line-ups and tons of bands, there are too many links to reasonably manage. With festivals, there is usually something for everyone! Click the event page and there are links to direct you from there!